Video projector system

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments provide for a modular video projector system having a light engine module and an optical engine module. The light engine module can provide narrow-band laser light to the optical engine module which modulates the laser light according to video signals received from a video processing engine. Some embodiments provide for an optical engine module having a sub-pixel generator configured to display video or images at a resolution of at least four times greater than a resolution of modulating elements within the optical engine module. Systems and methods for reducing speckle are presented in conjunction with the modular video projector system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/861,311 (to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,872,985), filed Apr. 11,2013, entitled “Video Projector System,” which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/624,167, filed Apr. 13, 2012, entitled “Laser Video ProjectorSystem,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/720,295, filed Oct.30, 2012, entitled “Laser Video Projector System,” U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/780,958, filed Mar. 13, 2013, entitled “VideoProjector System,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/809,268, filed Apr. 5, 2013, entitled “Video Projector System.” Eachof the applications referenced in this paragraph is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates generally to projection systems, such as amodular laser video projection system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Projector systems are used to project video or images on a screen orother diffusive display surface. Projector systems can use lamps such asxenon or mercury lamps as a light source, light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”)as a light source, or lasers as a light source. Some projection systemscan modulate incoming light to produce an image or video. Modulation ofthe light can be accomplished using modulating panels such as liquidcrystal display (“LCD”) panels, digital micro-mirror devices (“DMDs”),or liquid crystal on silicon (“LCoS”) panels. Projector systems caninclude optical, electrical, and mechanical components configured toimprove the color, quality, brightness, contrast, and sharpness of theprojected video or images.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods and devices of the disclosure each have innovativeaspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsiblefor the desirable attributes disclosed herein. Without limiting thescope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now besummarized.

The video projector system described herein has a number of advantageousconfigurations to provide a range of capabilities. The video projectorsystem includes a light engine configured to produce light having avariety of wavelengths that can be manipulated to produce relativelysharp and vivid video and images for projection onto a viewing screen.The video projector system includes a video processor configured toprovide a video signal to be projected onto the viewing screen. Thevideo projector system includes an optical engine configured to receivelight from the light engine and to modulate it according to the videosignal from the video processor.

Each of these systems can be combined into a single unit or anysub-combination can be joined into a single unit with the other beingits own separate unit. For example, the laser light engine and theoptical engine can be combined in a single housing to form one unit anda video processing system can be used to provide video signals to thelight and optical engine through cables or wireless communication. Thisallows for a range of video inputs to be used without needing to changethe video projector (e.g., the combined laser light engine and opticalengine in this example). As another example, the video processor andoptical engine can be combined into a single unit, and the laser lightengine can be a modular system so that a configurable number of laserlight engine modules can be used to adjust light output from the opticalengine and video processing unit. As another example, all three systemscan be combined in a single unit, providing a complete andself-contained video projector system. In some embodiments, additionalsystems and/or capabilities are provided through modules or additions tothe laser light engine, the optical engine, and/or the video processor.

Some embodiments provide for a modular video projector system includingone or more light engine modules, one or more video processing modules,and one or more optical engine modules. The modular aspect of the videoprojector system allows for dynamic configurations of light engines,video processors, and/or optical engines.

The light engine modules can include multiple laser diodes or otherlaser light sources configured to provide light to the optical enginemodule. The light engine modules can be configured to combine theirlight output for delivery to the optical engine module. In someembodiments, the light engine modules include cooling systems dedicatedto maintaining a suitable temperature within each light engine module.

The video processing module can read video or image data from a storagemedium, or alternatively receive video or image data from another sourcesuch as a computer, game console, or other digital video player (e.g.,BluRay player, DVD player, or the like) or delivered over a network. Thevideo processing module can send video data to the optical engine moduleto modulate the light received from the light engine module.

The optical engine module can be configured to receive light from thelight engine module or another light source through fiber optic (e.g.,multimode fiber optic) cables. The optical engine module can integratethe received light to produce a substantially rectangular area of lightthat has substantially uniform intensity and to scan the integratedlight across a light modulating panel (e.g., LCoS panels, DMDs, LCDs, orother spatial light modulator). In some embodiments, the light from thelight engine module is separated into color components. The opticalengine module can utilize optical components to join the optical pathsof the colors from the light engine module and scan the light across themodulating panel. The modulating panel modulates the light according tothe video signals received from the video processing module, and theoptical engine outputs and focuses the light on a screen. The opticalengine module can include more than one modulating panel such that thelight output can be increased, resolution can be enhanced, and/orstereoscopic video can be displayed.

Some embodiments provide for an optical engine module that is configuredto enhance the resolution of the modulating panels included therein. Theoptical engine module can include a sub-pixel generator that includes,for example, a multi-lens array to reduce a size of each pixel from themodulating panels and then refract the reduced-size pixels to move themin varied configurations in rapid succession to produce a displayedvideo output with a higher resolution than a resolution of themodulating panels. In some embodiments, the modulating panel changes itsorientation to move the pixel in a variety of configurations. Bydisplaying the pixel at different positions in rapid succession, anenhanced resolution can be achieved. For example, by displaying1920×1080 pixels in 4 different positions for each pixel at a rate of240 Hz, an effective resolution of 3840×2160 or more pixels can beachieved with an effective frame rate of 60 Hz. In some embodiments, theoptical engine module includes two modulating panels that produce pixeldata that are offset from one another such that resolution along adirection is effectively doubled.

The video projector system can include multiple features configured toreduce the appearance of speckle, or varying light and dark spots causedat least in part by constructive and destructive interference ofcoherent light from coherent light sources. For example, the lightengine can be configured to increase wavelength diversity throughincreasing spectral bandwidth of source lasers, providing multiple laseremitters with slightly different wavelengths, and/or injecting RFmodulated signals into the emitters to broaden the emitted spectrum oflight. Speckle can be reduced through other means including, forexample, angle diversity through the fiber optic coupling of the lightto the optical engine, physical orientation of laser sources, opticalmodulators, and one or more multi-lens arrays; phase angle diversityprovided by the multiple internal reflections of the light through themultimode fiber and time-varying phase shift through an opticalcomponent; and polarization diversity through mechanical rotation oflaser sources. In some embodiments, substantially all of the specklereduction occurs within the projector. In some embodiments, one or moreof these speckle reduction techniques is employed to reduce speckle atthe display screen.

Some embodiments provide for a laser light engine that combines multiplelasers having approximately identical central wavelengths, with slightvariations to introduce wavelength diversity, to form a virtual lasersource that provides a single color output for delivery to the opticalengine. This configuration can be repeated and modified for each colorto produce desirable or suitable color output. These multiple lasers canbe oriented and combined such that the resulting virtual laser sourceprovides a relatively high level of light while reducing the presence ofspeckle in the resulting image. The multiple lasers can be configured tointroduce angle diversity and polarization diversity through theirrelative physical orientation. The multiple lasers can be configured toexperience a broadening of their emission spectrum due to injectedRF-modulated signals. The multiple lasers can be selected to beincoherent with one another to reduce speckle.

Some embodiments provide for a modular video projector system includinga light engine module comprising at least one light source, a videoprocessing module, and an optical engine module. The light enginemodule, the video processing module, and the optical engine modulecomprise separate modules that are directly or indirectly connectable toone another through cables in at least one assembled configuration. Inthe at least one assembled configuration, the optical engine module isconfigured to receive video data provided by the video processingmodule, receive light provided by the light engine module, modulate thelight provided by the light engine module based on the video dataprovided by the video processing module, and project the modulatedlight.

In some implementations, the light engine module provides laser light.In some implementations, the light source comprises a plurality oflasers.

In some implementations, the modular video projector system furtherincludes a second light engine module directly or indirectly connectableto the assembled video projector system through cables. In a furtheraspect, the first and second light engine modules provide laser light.

In some implementations, the optical engine module is further configuredto modulate light received from the light engine module based on thevideo data provided by the video processing module, reduce a size ofreceived pixels, and move reduced size pixels within a bounded outputpixel to at least 2 locations, wherein the reduced size pixels are movedto the at least 2 locations at a rate that is at least 2 times fasterthan a frame rate of the video data.

In some implementations, the light provided by the light engine modulecomprises at least three colors, and wherein the optical engine isconfigured to scan a separate band for each of the three colors across asurface of at least one modulating element. In a further aspect, a gapof substantially no light exists between the bands. In another furtheraspect, the optical engine includes spinning refractive elements whichperform the scanning.

Some embodiments provide for a laser projector system that includes alight engine module comprising a plurality of lasers configured toprovide a plurality of colors of light. The laser projector systemincludes a video output module configured to receive the plurality ofcolors of light over a fiber optic cable and to modulate the receivedlight using at least two LCoS modulating panels to provide projectedoutput video.

Some embodiments provide for a projector system that includes a videoprocessing system configured to generate a modulation signalcorresponding to an input video signal. The projector system includes aprojector output module configured to receive the modulation signal andto modulate light from a plurality of light sources to generate anoutput display. The projector output module is configured to generate anoutput display with an effective resolution that is at least about 2times greater than the input video signal,

Some embodiments provide for a projector system that includes a videoprocessing system configured to generate a modulation signalcorresponding to an input video signal having a native resolution. Theprojector system includes a projector output module configured toreceive the modulation signal and to generate an output video that hasan output resolution that is at least about 2 times greater than thenative resolution.

In some implementations, the input video has a frame rate of about 30 Hzand a frame rate of the output video is at least about 60 Hz. In someimplementations, the native resolution is at least about 1080 verticallines and the output resolution is at least about 4320 vertical lines.

Some embodiments provide for a projector system that includes anintegrator that receives and spreads out light in a substantiallyrectangular band. The projector system includes at least one modulatingelement comprising an array of pixels and configured to modulate light,generating an array of modulated pixels. The projector system includes asub-pixel generator comprising a plurality of optical elements and amovable refractive element. The plurality of optical elements isconfigured to receive the array of modulated pixels and to reduce a sizeof each of the modulated pixels in the array. The refractive element isconfigured to move the reduced size pixels. The combination of thesub-pixel generator and the modulating element produces projected outputvideo.

In some implementations, the resolution of the projected output video isat least about 2 times greater than the resolution of the modulatingelement. In some implementations, the resolution of the projected outputvideo is at least about 4 times greater than the resolution of themodulating element.

Some embodiments provide for a projector system that includes anintegrator that receives and spreads out light in a substantiallyrectangular band, having a width along a first direction and a heightshorter than the width in a second direction. The projector systemincludes a scanning system configured to scan light from integratoralong the second direction relative to the rectangular band. Theprojector system includes a polarizing system configured to receivelight from the scanning system and to polarize the received light. Theprojector system includes at least two modulating elements configured toreceive the polarized light and to modulate the polarized light, whereina first modulating element modulates light having a first polarizationand a second modulating element modulates light having a second,orthogonal polarization. The projector system includes an optical systemconfigured to combine the modulated light from the first modulatingelement and the modulated light from the second modulating element toprovide stereoscopic video output.

Some embodiments provide for a method for increasing a resolution of aprojector system using a sub-pixel generator. The method includesreceiving modulated light, light modulated according to source video.The method includes directing the modulated light onto a lens arraywherein each modulated pixel is directed onto a lens of the lens array.The method includes reducing a size of received pixels using the lens.The method includes moving reduced size pixels within a bounded outputpixel to at least 2 locations in rapid succession using a refractiveelement. The reduced size pixels are moved to the at least 2 locationsat a rate that is at least 2 times faster than a frame rate of thesource video.

Some embodiments provide for a video projector system that includes alight source, a video processing engine configured to provide digitalvideo data having a first resolution and a first frame rate, and anoptical path. The optical path is configured to receive the digitalvideo data from the video processing system, to receive light generatedby the light source, and to modulate the received light using amodulating element wherein the modulated light includes a plurality ofpixels. The optical path is further configured, for individual ones ofthe modulated pixels, to generate a modulated sub-pixel by reducing asize of the modulated pixel and to move the sub-pixel to at least twodifferent locations. The optical path is further configured to projectthe modulated sub-pixels as output video at each of the at least twolocations.

In some implementations, the sub-pixel is moved within an area definedby a size of the modulated pixel. In some implementations, the sub-pixelis moved according to a pre-determined geometric pattern. In someimplementations, the at least two locations comprises at least fourdifferent locations.

In some implementations, the light source provides laser light. In someimplementations, the light source provides light generated by aplurality of light emitting diodes.

In some implementations, the optical path includes at least onemodulating element configured to modulate the light received from thelight engine module. In a further aspect, the at least one modulatingelement comprises a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) panel. In anotherfurther aspect, the optical path includes at least two modulatingelements. In yet a further aspect, projected light from a first of themodulating elements is spatially offset from projected light from asecond of the modulating elements by a fraction of a pixel.

In some implementations, the optical path includes a microlens arrayconfigured to receive the modulated pixels and generate modulatedsub-pixels. In some implementations, the optical path includes a movablerefractive element configured to receive the modulated sub-pixels andmove the modulated sub-pixels.

In some implementations, the effective horizontal resolution of theoutput video is at least about 3840 horizontal pixels. In someimplementations, the effective horizontal resolution of the output videois at least about 4000 horizontal pixels.

In some implementations, the projected modulated sub-pixels produceprojected output video having an effective resolution that is at leastabout 2 times greater than a native resolution of a modulating elementthat is configured to modulate the light received from the light enginemodule. In a further aspect, the effective resolution is at least about4 times greater than a native resolution of the modulating element.

Some embodiments provide for a video projector system that includes alight source, a video processing engine configured to provide digitalvideo data having, and an optical path configured to receive the digitalvideo data from the video processing system and to receive lightgenerated by the light source. The optical path includes at least twomodulating elements configured to modulate the received light based onthe received digital video data, the modulated light comprising aplurality of pixels. The optical path also includes optics configured torefract the light modulated by the at least two modulating elements andto output the modulated light for projection onto a display surface. Theoptical path further is configured such that projected light modulatedby a first modulating element of the at least two modulating elements isspatially offset with respect to projected light modulated by a secondmodulating element of the at least two modulating elements.

In some implementations, the projected light has an effective resolutionat least twice as high as a native resolution of the individualmodulating elements.

Some embodiments provide for a video projector that includes a lightsource providing at least two colors of light, a video processing engineconfigured to provide digital video data having a source resolution anda source frame rate, and an optical path configured to receive thedigital video data from the video processing engine and to receive lightgenerated by the light source. The optical path includes a modulatingelement configured to modulate light incident thereon. The optical pathincludes a scanning system configured to scan light from the differentcolors across the modulating element in a manner in which each color isincident on a different portion of the modulating element than any ofthe other colors at a particular point in time.

In some implementations, the light source provides at least three colorsof light. In a further aspect, the scanning system includes a set ofscanning elements comprising a separate scanning element for each of thethree colors of light, each scanning element configured to move todirect light of the respective color across the modulating element. Thescanning elements are arranged at an angular offset with respect to oneanother, the angular offset causing light emanating from each scanningelement to strike a different portion of the modulating element at aparticular point in time than does light emanating from the otherscanning elements. In a further aspect, each of the scanning elementscomprises a spinning element, wherein rotation of the spinning elementcauses light emanating from the spinning element to scan across themodulating element. In a further aspect, the spinning elements comprisehexagonal refractive elements. In some implementations, at theparticular point in time, the scanning system illuminates a first bandof the modulating element with light of a first color, a second band ofthe modulating element with light of the second color, and a third bandof the modulating element with light of the third color. In a furtheraspect, at the particular point in time, the scanning system does notilluminate portions of the modulating element between the illuminatedbands.

In some implementations, the scanning system is configured to provide agap of substantially no light between illuminated areas on themodulating element.

In some implementations, the light source comprises a plurality oflasers. In some implementations, the light source comprises a pluralityof light emitting diodes.

Some embodiments provide for a video projector that includes an opticalpath configured to receive digital video data from a video processingengine that is configured to provide digital video data, and to receivelight generated by a light source, the light source providing at leasttwo colors of light. The optical path includes a modulating elementconfigured to modulate light incident thereon, and a scanning systemconfigured to scan light from the at least two different colors acrossthe modulating element in a manner in which each color is incident on adifferent portion of the modulating element than any of the other colorsat a particular point in time.

In some implementations, the light source provides at least three colorsof light. In a further aspect, the scanning system includes a set ofscanning elements comprising a separate scanning element for each of thethree colors of light, each scanning element configured to move todirect light of the respective color across the modulating element. Thescanning elements are arranged at an angular offset with respect to oneanother, the angular offset causing light emanating from each scanningelement to strike a different portion of the modulating panel at theparticular point in time than does light emanating from the otherscanning elements. In a further aspect, each of the scanning elementscomprises a spinning element, wherein rotation of the spinning elementcauses light emanating from the spinning element to scan across themodulating element. In a further aspect, the spinning elements comprisehexagonal refractive elements. In a further aspect, at the particularpoint in time the scanning system illuminates a first band of themodulating element with light of a first color, a second band of themodulating element with light of the second color, and a third band ofthe modulating element with light of the third color. In a furtheraspect, at the particular point in time the scanning system does notilluminate portions of the modulating element between the illuminatedbands. In some implementations, the scanning system is configured toprovide a gap of substantially no light between illuminated areas on themodulating element.

In some implementations, the light source comprises a plurality oflasers. In some implementations, the light source comprises a pluralityof light emitting diodes.

In some implementations, the video projector includes the light source.In some implementations, the video projector includes the videoprocessing engine.

Some embodiments provide for a method of modulating light in a videoprojector system. The method includes receiving at least two colors oflight from a light source. The method includes receiving digital videodata from a video processing engine, the digital video data having asource resolution and a source frame rate. The method includes directingthe received light from the light source along an optical path to amodulating element. The method includes modulating light incident on themodulating element according to the received digital video data. Themethod includes scanning light from the at least two colors across themodulating element in a manner in which, at a particular time, eachcolor is incident on a different portion of the modulating element.

In some implementations, at the particular time there is a gap ofsubstantially no light between each color incident on the modulatingelement.

In some implementations, scanning light includes refracting light usinga spinning refractive element. In a further aspect, the spinningrefractive element comprises a hexagonal refractive element.

In some implementations, the method further includes directing light ofa first polarization from each of the colors along the optical path anddirecting light of a second, orthogonal polarization from each of thecolors along a second optical path. In a further aspect, the methodfurther includes using a second modulating element to modulate lightdirected along the second optical path, wherein the light having thesecond, orthogonal polarization is incident on the second modulatingelement. In a further aspect, the method includes scanning light fromthe second optical path across the second modulating element in a mannerin which, at the particular time, each color is incident on a differentportion of the second modulating element. In a further aspect, themethod includes combining the modulated light from the optical path withthe modulated light from the second optical path, and projecting thecombined modulated light onto a display screen. In a further aspect, thecombined modulated light forms a stereoscopic image on the displayscreen.

Some embodiments provide for a modular video projector system thatincludes a light engine module comprising at least one light source, andan optical engine module housed in a separate packaging than the lightengine module. The optical engine module is configured to receive videodata provided by a video processing module, to receive light provided bythe light engine module, to modulate the light provided by the lightengine module based on the video data provided by the video processingmodule, and to project the modulated light.

In some implementations, the light engine module provides laser light.In a further aspect, the optical engine module and the light enginemodule are connected together via at least one optical cable.

In some implementations, the modular projector system further includesat least a second light engine module connected to the optical enginemodule. In some implementations, the optical engine module is configuredto operate with up to at least 3 light engine modules at the same time.In some implementations, the optical engine module is configured tooperate with up to at least 4 separate light engine modules at the sametime. In some implementations, the optical engine module is configuredto operate with up to at least 5 separate light engine modules at thesame time. In some implementations, the optical engine module isconfigured to optionally operate with between one and five separatelight engine modules at the same time.

In some implementations, the optical engine module is further configuredto receive light provided by the second light engine module, to modulatethe light provided by the light engine module based on the video dataprovided by the video processing module, and to project the modulatedlight. In a further aspect, the first and second light engine modulesprovide laser light. In a further aspect, the first and second lightengine modules are connected to the optical engine module via at leastone optical cable. In some implementations, the light source comprises aplurality of lasers.

In some implementations, the optical engine module is further configuredto modulate light received from the light engine module based on thevideo data provided by the video processing module, to reduce a size ofreceived pixels, and to move reduced size pixels within a bounded outputpixel to at least 2 locations, wherein the reduced size pixels are movedto the at least 2 locations at a rate that is at least 2 times fasterthan the frame rate of the source video. In a further aspect, thereduced size pixels are moved to at least 4 locations at a rate that isat least 4 times faster than the frame rate of the source video.

In some implementations, the light provided by the light engine modulecomprises at least three colors and the optical engine is configured toscan a separate band for each of the three colors across a surface of atleast one modulating element. In a further aspect, a gap ofsubstantially no light exists between the hands. In a further aspect,the optical engine includes spinning refractive elements which performthe scanning.

In some implementations, the modular video projector system furtherincludes a video processing module containing the video processingelectronics and having a separate packaging than at least the opticalengine module. In a further aspect, the video processing module has aseparate packaging than both of the optical engine module and the lightengine module.

Some embodiments provide for a laser projector system that includes alight engine module comprising a plurality of lasers configured toprovide a plurality of colors of light, and a video output moduleconfigured to receive the plurality of colors of light over a fiberoptic cable and to modulate the received light using at least one lightmodulating panel to provide projected output video. For instance, the atleast one light modulating panel can be an LCoS modulating panel.

In some implementations, the video output module modulates the receivedlight using at least two light modulating panels (e.g., LCoS modulatingpanels) to provide the projected output video.

Some embodiments provide for a projector system that includes a videoprocessing system configured to generate a modulation signalcorresponding to an input video signal. The projector system includes aprojector output module configured to receive the modulation signal andto generate an output video using at least one light modulating elementhaving a native pixel resolution. The output video has an outputresolution that is at least about 2 times greater than the native pixelresolution of the light modulating element.

In some implementations, the effective output resolution is at leastabout 2 times greater than the native pixel resolution. In someimplementations, the input video signal has a frame rate of about 30 Hzand a frame rate of the output video is at least about 60 Hz. In someimplementations, the native pixel resolution is at least about 1080vertical lines and the effective output resolution is at least about4320 vertical lines.

Some embodiments provide for a video projector system that includes anoptical path configured to receive digital video data from a videoprocessing engine and to receive light from a light source. The opticalpath is configured to modulate the received light according to thereceived digital video data using a modulating element, the modulatedlight comprising a plurality of pixels. For each of the modulatedpixels, the optical path is configured to generate a modulated sub-pixelby reducing a size of the modulated pixel and to move the sub-pixel in ageometric pattern within an area defined by a size of the modulatedpixel.

In some implementations, the pattern is repeated with a sub-pixelfrequency. In a further aspect, the sub-pixel frequency is greater thana frame rate of the digital video data.

In some implementations, the optical path comprises a plurality ofoptical elements, the plurality of optical elements configured to reducethe size of the modulated pixel. In a further aspect, the plurality ofoptical elements comprises a microlens array.

In some implementations, the optical path comprises a refractiveelement, the refractive element configured to move the sub-pixel in thegeometric pattern.

In some implementations, the light source provides laser light. In someimplementations, the light source provides light generated by aplurality of light emitting diodes.

In some implementations, the modulating element comprises an LCoS panel.In some implementations, the optical path comprises at least twomodulating panels. In a further aspect, projected light from a first ofthe modulating panels has a different polarization from projected lightfrom a second of the modulating panels.

In some implementations, the horizontal resolution of the receiveddigital video data is at least about 3840 horizontal pixels.

In some implementations, wherein the projected modulated sub-pixelsproduce projected output video having an effective resolution that is atleast about 2 times greater than a native resolution of a modulatingelement that is configured to modulate the light received from the lightengine module. In a further aspect, the effective resolution is at leastabout 4 times greater than a native resolution of the modulatingelement.

Some embodiments provide for a video projector system that includes anoptical path configured to receive digital video data from a videoprocessing engine and to receive light from a light source. The opticalpath includes a modulating element configured to modulate the receivedlight incident thereon according to the received digital video data, themodulating element comprising a plurality of pixels configured toprovide a plurality of modulated pixels. The optical path includes asub-pixel generator comprising an optical element configured to moveeach of the plurality of modulated pixels in a geometric pattern.

In some implementations, the optical element of the sub-pixel generatorcomprises a movable refractive element. In some implementations, thesub-pixel generator further comprises a plurality of lenses configuredto reduce a size of each of the plurality of modulated pixels. In afurther aspect, a size of the geometric pattern is defined by a size ofa modulated pixel. In some implementations, the sub-pixel generatorfurther comprises mechanical elements configured to move the opticalelement.

In some implementations, the video projector system further includes thelight source. In a further aspect, the light source provides light froma plurality of lasers. In a further aspect, the light source provideslight from a plurality of LEDs.

In some implementations, the video projector system further includes ascanning system configured to scan light from the light source acrossthe modulating element. In some implementations, the video projectorsystem further includes a projector lens configured to project themodulated pixels as output video.

Some embodiments provide for a method for displaying a video streamusing a video projector system. The method includes receiving digitalvideo data from a video processing engine. The method includes receivinglight from a light source. The method includes modulating the receivedlight according to the received digital video data using a modulatingelement, the modulated light comprising a plurality of pixels. For eachof the modulated pixels, the method includes generating a modulatedsub-pixel by reducing a size of the modulated pixel and moving thesub-pixel in a geometric pattern within an area defined by a size of themodulated pixel.

In some implementations, reducing a size of the modulated pixelcomprises using a microlens array to generate an image of the modulatedpixels wherein a ratio of a size of a modulated pixel to a size of amodulated sub-pixel is at least about 2. In some implementations, themethod further includes projecting the modulated sub-pixels as outputvideo.

In some implementations, moving the sub-pixel comprises moving arefractive element such that the modulated sub-pixel moves in thegeometric pattern. In a further aspect, moving the refractive elementcomprises using mechanical elements to adjust an orientation of therefractive element.

In some implementations, the geometric pattern is repeated with apattern frequency. In a further aspect, the pattern frequency is greaterthan a frame rate of the digital video data.

Some embodiments provide for a video projector that includes amodulating element configured to modulate light incident thereon inresponse to signals derived from digital video data, the light generatedby a light source and corresponding to at least first light of a firstcolor and second light of a second color. The video projector includes ascanner positioned before the modulating element in the optical path.The scanner includes a first optical element configured to direct afirst band of the first light passing therethrough across at least aportion of the modulating element. The scanner includes a second opticalelement configured to direct a second band of the second light passingtherethrough across the portion of the modulating element, wherein thefirst and second bands remain substantially separate as they move acrossthe portion of the modulating element.

In some implementations, the first optical element and the secondoptical element move to cause the first and second bands of light to bedirected across the portion of the modulating element. In a furtheraspect, the first optical element has a geometric profile that issubstantially similar to that of the second optical element. In afurther aspect, the first optical element and the second optical elementare rotationally offset with respect to one another and rotatesimultaneously to cause the first and second bands of light to bedirected across the portion of the modulating element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are provided to illustrate example embodiments describedherein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be re-used to indicategeneral correspondence between referenced elements.

FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of a modular video projector systemaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 1B shows an example embodiment of a modular video projector systemwith a video processing module, multiple light engine modules, and anoptical engine module.

FIG. 2 shows an example of adding additional modules to the modularvideo projector system to cover a larger display screen.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an example optical engine for a videoprojector, which can be used as an optical engine module in a modularprojector system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a slit scanning system in a video projectorsystem.

FIG. 5 shows a spinner in combination with a microlens array scanning alight source in a vertical direction.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a spinner system in combination with amicrolens array and having one spinner for each of a red, green, andblue light source.

FIG. 7 shows an example slit scanning system scanning a red, green, andblue light source vertically across a modulating panel.

FIG. 8A shows a four-way polarizing element and dual modulating panelsaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example configuration of pixels generated by twoLCoS panels wherein corresponding pixels from the two LCoS panels arealigned.

FIG. 8C illustrates an example configuration of pixels generated by twoLCoS panels wherein corresponding pixels from the two LCoS panels areoffset.

FIG. 9 shows example functionality of a deformable mirror in a videoprojector system.

FIGS. 10A-C show some embodiments of a sub-pixel generator.

FIGS. 10D-E show examples of a movable refracting element of a sub-pixelgenerator for a video projector system.

FIG. 10F shows some examples of sub-pixel illumination patterns in avideo projector system.

FIGS. 10G-I show examples of a sub-pixel generation using a microlensarray and a movable light modulating panel.

FIGS. 10J-M show various views of an example wobbler of a sub-pixelgenerator for a video projector system.

FIG. 10N shows an exploded view of the wobbler illustrated in FIGS.10J-M.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show schematic diagram of some embodiments of a lightengine module in a laser projector system.

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of an example system for combining lightfrom multiple LEDs of the same color to increase a power of a lightengine.

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram of an example light engine employing theLED combining system of FIG. 12 for a plurality of colors of LED.

FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram of an example light engine producingstereoscopic output, the light engine employing a plurality of the LEDcombining systems of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram of an example light engine comprising aplurality of LEDs combined onto an LCoS panel using dichroic mirrors,polarizing beam splitters, and polarization grating-polarizationconversion systems.

FIG. 16 shows an example light engine module for use with a videoprojector system.

FIGS. 17A-D show example light sources each comprising a plurality oflaser diodes.

FIGS. 18A-C show an example PCB board and heat sink used with the laserdiode light sources illustrated in FIGS. 17A-D.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example electronics board for a video processor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure will now be described with regard tocertain examples and embodiments, which are intended to illustrate butnot to limit the disclosure. Nothing in this disclosure is intended toimply that any particular feature or characteristic of the disclosedembodiments is essential. The scope of protection is defined by theclaims that follow this description and not by any particular embodimentdescribed herein.

The following description relates to displaying color video and imagefrom a projector system. Reference is made to red, green, and blue lightto enable the creation of color images. Other colors and colorcombinations can be used to create desired video and images. Thedisclosure applies to these color combinations as well and thedisclosure is not intended to be limited to a certain subset of colors,but for ease of description the colors red, green, and blue are usedthroughout the disclosure. In addition, while certain embodiments aredescribed as including or utilizing LCoS panels, other types of lightmodulators may be compatible with embodiments described herein.

Conventional projector systems integrate all their components into onebox. In such systems, lamps are typically used to provide light to theprojector. Typically xenon or mercury lamps are used. These lamps cangenerate a relatively large amount of heat and, as a result, utilizeexpensive or noisy cooling systems. The heat can damage optical orelectrical components. Xenon lamps are known to produce infraredradiation which further increases the amount of heat put out by thelamp. Xenon lamps are known to produce ultraviolet radiation as well,which can cause an organic breakdown of materials in lens components,such as breaking down dyes. Typically, it is desirable in such systemsto keep the lamp light source close to the modulating components of theprojector system to efficiently collect and use the light produced.

Certain projectors described herein use laser light-sources or LEDlight-sources. According to certain embodiments, the light sources canbe physically and/or spatially separated from optical components withinthe projector, e.g., through the use of fiber optic cables. In someembodiments, lasers or LEDs are selected which emit radiation in anarrow electromagnetic band, and thus do not produce potentiallydamaging infrared or ultraviolet radiation. In some embodiments,broadband light-sources can be used.

Some projector systems that have all components integrated into a singleunit can be difficult to maintain or upgrade. Modular systems describedherein allow for updating modules when new technology becomes availablewithout sacrificing functionality of other components within theprojector system. For example, a projector system can update lasermodules as technology improves, such as green laser diodes which may beinefficient at a certain point in time but which may become moreefficient, cost effective, and powerful over time. In addition, modulesmay be upgraded or rebuilt to exploit new developments in technology.However, for some applications, providing a single unit incorporatingall the components used to project a video may be advantageous anddesirable because of the ease of setup, compactness, or other suchconsiderations.

In typical projector systems, to increase the light output multiplelamps are added to the projector system which in turn increases the heatin the projector. Such a solution can result in more damage and morepower consumed for cooling the projector. Modular laser projectorsystems described herein can be configured to stack multiple lightsources to increase the light input to the modulating elements, e.g.,without increasing heat in other elements of the projector system.

In some embodiments, a laser projector system can use coherent lightsources for illuminating modulators, including LCoS panels, DMDs, or LCDpanels. Using, coherent light sources can result in speckle when thatlight is projected onto an optically rough surface. Speckle is a visibleartifact in a projected image and appears as variable intensities or“sandpaper-like” scintillating spots of light. Speckle can be caused bythe coherent wave-fronts of light that can constructively anddestructively interfere, creating varying bright and dim spots on thescreen. Speckle can be one cause that diminishes image resolution andclarity. Therefore, there it may be advantageous to provide a projectorsystem that incorporates highly coherent light sources, such as lasers,and that reduces the appearance of speckle in the projected image.

Overview of a Modular Projector System

FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of a modular video projector system 100according to some embodiments. The modular video projector system 100includes various modules used to provide light, video signals, and lightmodulation to create a video to be displayed on a screen 120. Themodular nature of the video projector system 100 provides for variousadvantages including, but not limited to, facilitating repair,facilitating the upgrading of components or modules, increasingprojector light output, providing forward compatibility with futuretechnologies, improving the quality of the video or images displayed,enhancing resolution, providing stereoscopic video, providingcompatibility with various video formats, providing redundancy amongprojector components, decrypting information from protected data inputs,displaying information from a single video source on multiple displays,displaying information from multiple video sources on a single display,reducing speckle, and the like.

The video projector system 100 includes one or more video processingmodules 105 configured to provide video signals. The video processingmodules 105 provide signals to the optical engine modules 115 throughcabling 107, but they could also communicate wirelessly. The videoprocessing modules 105 convert information from one or more videosources to provide video signals to the optical engine modules 115 to atleast partially drive the light modulating elements within the opticalengine modules 115. In some embodiments, the video processing modules105 provide input for Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) panels thatmodulate light within the optical engine modules 115.

The video processing module 105 can be a unit that processes or receivesvideo data (e.g., from a mass storage device, from a network source,and/or from another external video processing system) and outputs anappropriate signal to the optical engine modules 115. In someembodiments, the video processing modules 105 include inputs to receivevideo signals from external sources having video processing electronics.For example, an external source can be a REDRAY™ player, computer, DVDplayer, Blu-Ray player, video game console, smartphone, digital camera,video camera, or any other source that can provide video signals. Videodata can be delivered to the video processing modules 105 throughconventional cabling, including, for example, HDMI cables, componentcables, composite video cables, coaxial cables, Ethernet cables, opticalsignal cables, other video cables, or any combination of these. In someembodiments, the video processing modules 105 are configured to readdigital information stored on a computer readable medium. The modules105 can be configured to read information on data storage devicesincluding hard disks, solid-state drives (SSDs), optical discs, flashmemory devices, and the like. For example, the video processing modules105 can be configured to read digital video data including, but notlimited to, uncompressed video, compressed video (e.g., video encoded onDVDs, REDRAY™-encoded video, and/or video encoded on Blu-Ray disks).

The external sources, optical discs, or data storage devices can providevideo data to the video processing modules 105 where such video dataincludes digital and/or analog information, and where the video datacomprises information conforming to a video standard and/or includevideo data at a particular resolution, such as HD (720p, 1080i, 1080p),REDRAY™, 2K (e.g., 16:9 (2048×1152 pixels), 2:1 (2048×1024 pixels),etc.), 4K (e.g., 4096×2540 pixels, 16:9 (4096×2304 pixels), 2:1(4096×2048), etc.), 4K RGB, 4K Stereoscopic, 4.5K horizontal resolution,3K (e.g., 16:9 (3072×1728 pixels), 2:1 (3072×1536 pixels), etc.), “5 k”(e.g., 5120×2700), Quad HD (e.g., 3840×2160 pixels) 3D HD, 3D 2K, SD(480i, 480p, 540p), NTSC, PAL, or other similar standard or resolutionlevel. As used herein, in the terms expressed in the format of xK (suchas 2K and 4K noted above), the “x” quantity refers to the approximatehorizontal resolution. As such, “4K” resolution can correspond to atleast about 4000 horizontal pixels and “2K” can correspond to at leastabout 2000 or more horizontal pixels. The modular design of the videoprojector system 100 can allow for the video processor modules 105 to beupdated and/or upgraded providing new or different functionality. Forexample, a video processing module 105 can be changed or added to changethe allowed input formats to the video projector system 100. As anotherexample, the video processing module 105 can be updated to handle videodecryption from protected data inputs.

The modular video projector system 100 includes one or more light enginemodules 110 configured to provide light to the optical engine modules115. The light engine modules 110 can comprise one or more light sourcesconfigured to provide illumination to the optical engine modules 115through fiber optic cabling 112. In some embodiments, the light enginemodule 115 includes light sources (e.g., lasers, LEDs, etc.) configuredto provide light that principally falls within the red region of theelectromagnetic spectrum, the blue region, and/or the green region. Insome embodiments, additional or different colors can be providedincluding cyan, magenta, yellow, white, or some other color.

The light engine modules 110 can include laser diodes, including directedge-emitting laser diodes or vertical-cavity surface-emitting laserdiodes. In some embodiments, the light sources (e.g., laser diodes) inthe light engine modules 110 consume less than or equal to about 8 W ofpower, less than or equal to about 10 W or power, less than or equal toabout 20 W of power, less than or equal to about 25 W of power, lessthan or equal to about 40 W of power, less than or equal to about 60 Wof power, less than or equal to about 100 W of power, between about 8 Wand about 25 W of power, between about 20 W and about 30 W of power, orbetween about 6 W and about 40 W of power during operation. A singlelight engine module 110 can provide multiple wavelengths of light,typically providing red, green, and blue light from laser diodes. Thepower consumed by the light sources can be per color (e.g., the rangesand limits above can be per light source) or for the combination oflight sources (e.g., all the light sources within a light engine consumepower within the limits and ranges above). The power consumed by thelight sources can be configured according to a desired size of a screen.For example, the power consumed by the light sources can be betweenabout 6 W and about 10 W, or less than or equal to about 8 W for ascreen that has a width that is less than or equal to about 12 feet. Thepower consumed by the light sources can be between about 10 W and about100 W, or less than or equal to about 25 W for screens with widths atleast about 12 feet and/or less than about 100 feet, or at least about30 feet and/or less than about 90 feet.

Light engine modules 110 can be stacked to increase the overallillumination and/or light output of the video projector system 100. FIG.2 shows an example of adding additional modules to the video projectorsystem 100 to cover a larger display screen 120. FIG. 2 illustrates ascreen 120 of a height 2H and a length 2W. In this example, a videoprojector system 100 having a single light engine module 110 cansufficiently illuminate a screen having a height of H and a width of W.Adding three more light engine modules 110 to the video projector system100, for a total of four, then, can provide enough light to sufficientlyilluminate the screen 120 having dimensions 2H×2W. This model can beextended to arbitrary screen sizes such that additional light enginemodules can be added to create enough light to satisfactorily illuminatethe screen 120. In this way, output light power can be tailored asappropriate for different screen sizes. In some embodiments, each lightsource in a light engine module 110 can sufficiently illuminate a screenthat is at least 5 ft. wide. In some embodiments, each light source cansufficiently illuminate a screen that is at least 15 ft. wide.

Adding light engine modules 110 increases the power consumed by thesystem 100, wherein the total power consumed by the system 100 is thesum of the power consumed by each individual module. For example, alight engine module 110 can consume about 40 W of power. Adding threeadditional light engine modules 110 having similar light sources andcooling systems would increase the power consumed to about 120 W. Inthis manner, the power consumption of the video projector system 100 canbe scaled to suit the particular application.

Light engine modules 110 having laser or LED light sources provideadvantages when compared to light sources such as xenon (Xe) or mercury(Hg) lamps. For example, lasers or LEDs can be stacked in modules,increasing the amount of output light, which output light can beefficiently directed onto a modulating element at least partiallythrough the use of one or more fiber optic cables, for example. Anotheradvantage can be that, because laser and LED light modules typicallyproduce reduced levels of heat, modular projector configurationsincluding additional laser or LED light engine modules can maintainacceptable levels of heat, reducing or preventing increased stress onprojector components due to heat. Moreover, modular projector systemscan reduce or eliminate the need for expensive and/or noisy coolingsystems.

Laser or LED light sources can provide other advantages. For example,laser or LED light sources can provide greater control over colors inoutput light. Laser sources can provide polarized light, which may beadvantageously used in conjunction with LCoS panels and other lightmodulation systems.

In some embodiments, the light engine modules 110 utilize lasers as thelight source. Lasers can provide many advantages, as described herein,but can also contribute to the appearance of speckle in a projectedimage. To reduce the appearance of speckle, techniques can be used toincrease wavelength diversity, angular diversity, phase angle diversity,and polarization diversity which all contribute to reducing thecoherence of laser sources.

Wavelength diversity can be achieved by selecting lasers for use in thelight engine modules 110 where the lasers have a relatively widespectral bandwidth. This can be advantageous in reducing speckle becausethe wavelength diversity reduces the overall coherence of the lightarriving at the display screen. In some embodiments, directedge-emitting laser diodes have a spectral bandwidth of around 3-5 nm,which is relatively wide when compared with diode-pumped solid-state(“DPSS”) lasers or direct doubled laser technology which can be asnarrow as 0.5 nm to 1 nm. Manufacturing ranges of available wavelengthscan vary in about a 15 nm range for each of red, green, and blue lasers.In some implementations, a light source producing light with a centerwavelength of about 500 nm can experience a reduction speckle of about90% with about a 10 nm spread in its central wavelength.

Wavelength diversity can also be achieved in the projector system 100through the use of lasers having different, but difficult to perceive,output wavelengths. This can reduce speckle by one over the square rootof the number of different wavelengths present for a single color in theprojector 100. This can be achieved by building each laser engine module110 with laser diodes that have a center wavelength spread of a fewnanometers. For example, some blue laser diodes can range from about 458nm to about 468 nm, providing desirable wavelength diversity in the blueregion. As another example, green diodes can range from about 513 nm toabout 525 nm.

Wavelength diversity can also be achieved by injecting one or more lasersources with a modulation frequency to broaden the output spectralbandwidth. In some embodiments, injecting a laser diode with amodulation frequency in the range of a few to a few hundred MHzincreases the spectral bandwidth by about two to three times theoriginal bandwidth. For example, a Green Nichia test diode injected witha modulation frequency in that range increased from a base spectralbandwidth of about 2 nm to about 6 nm Multiple laser sources can receivediffering modulation frequencies, or receiving the same modulationfrequency but out of phase with the modulation frequency injected intoother sources. This can result in an overall greater diversity inwavelength.

Phase angle diversity can be introduced through the use of multipleemitter sources in the light engine modules 110. By using severaluncorrelated and/or non-coherently related sources to make a combinedhigh power light engine module, speckle contrast can be reduced byintroducing phase angle diversity. The reduction in speckle can be asmuch as one over the square root of the number of uncorrelated laserdiodes. As an example, a 10 W RGB module can use approximately 4 bluelaser diodes, 6 red diodes, and 50 green diodes (wherein green light cantypically contribute the most to speckle artifacts) which can reduce theappearance of speckle due to the reduction in coherence of multiplelight sources.

Angular diversity can be accomplished in the projector system 100through the use of multiple emitters for a single light source arrangedin a pattern. For example, lasers can be arranged in a radial patternhaving a distance between emitters ranging from about 4 mm to about 50mm. The solid angles subtended by each emitter as it is collimated andthen focused into the fiber optic cable will be diverse creatinguncorrelated wave-fronts upon entering the fiber optic cable. Thisangular diversity can result in a reduction in speckle in the finalprojected image.

Creating polarization diversity is another method to reduce speckle inthe laser projector system 100. Laser sources can emit polarized lightwhich can remain largely uniformly polarized even after passing throughfiber optic cable. By using multiple emitters for each light enginemodule 110, and arranging the multiple emitters in a pattern thatcreates a diversity of polarization angles, speckle can be reduced. Thiscan randomize polarization throughout the optical path of the videoprojector system 100, useful in a system 100 that uses both horizontaland vertical polarized light, as described in more detail herein.

Some embodiments of a light engine module 110 can utilize multiplemethods for reducing speckle by providing for a virtual laser sourcecreated by using a large number of smaller lasers. For example, around100 individual emitters can be used that produce light that isincoherent with each other. Emitters can be chosen which exhibit a widespectral bandwidth, on the order of about 2 nm. The spectral bandwidthof the emitters can be increased by injecting a RF-modulated signal intothe emitters, which can increase the spectral bandwidth to be greaterthan about 3 nm and/or greater than about 5 nm. The emitters can bearranged in a pattern to create angular diversity, with separations upto about 50 mm, that get funneled into a multimode fiber. Polarizationdiversity can be introduced by mechanically rotating emitters withrespect to one another such that the light that is produced has avarying polarization angle when compared to other emitters. Emitters canbe used that have varying, but difficult to perceive, wavelengths. Thus,some embodiments provide for a virtual laser source that reduces specklethrough wavelength diversity, polarization diversity, angular diversity,and/or phase angle diversity.

One or more light engine modules 110 can be incorporated into a modularsled configured to be connected to the optical engine module(s) 115. Themodular sled can include integrators, mirrors, lenses, and other opticalelements for shaping or conditioning the light output before injectioninto the optical engine module 115. The modular sled can include fiberoptic cables configured to carry the light from the light sources to theoptical engine module 115. The fiber optic cable can comprise one ormore multimode optical fibers, and more than one fiber optic cable canbe used to carry the light. In some embodiments, there is one multimodeoptical fiber per different color in the light source. In someembodiments, there are multiple optical fibers per different color ofinput light. For example, in some projector systems 100 each color oflight in a light engine module 110 can have a single 400 ummultimodefiber to transport light to the projector, for a total of threein an RGB module. As another example, in a higher power projector system100, there can be up to five multimode fibers per color in the lightengine module 110, for a total of fifteen in a high powered RGB module.The spacing of the multimode fibers at the output end of the connectioncan contribute to the reduction in speckle due to angular diversity.

As described, light from the light engine modules 110 can be directed tomodulating elements in the optical engine modules 115 using fiber opticcables 112 or other appropriate cabling 112. This feature allowsphysical and spatial separation of the light source from the opticalengine. This could allow a projector head (e.g., the optical enginemodule 115) to be in one room with the light source (e.g., the lightengine module 110) in another, which may be advantageous where noisearising from a cooling system connected to the light source mayinterfere with the presentation of the video. In some embodiments, thelength of the fiber optic cable or other cabling can be greater than orequal to about 10 ft and/or less than or equal to about 100 ft, greaterthan or equal to about 1 m and/or less than or equal to about 100 m, orgreater than or equal to about 3 m and/or less than or equal to about 50m. In various embodiments, the cabling is from between about 1 m andabout 100 m long, or from between about 1 m and about 10 m long.

The use of multimode optical fiber in the projector system 100 can beconfigured to reduce the overall speckle present in the system. Themultimode fiber serves to randomize the various paths light takes as ittravels the length of the cable. Multiple internal reflections of thelight within the cable create output light where phase angle differencesbetween the light have been randomized. Randomizing phase angles reducescoherence of the light, thereby reducing speckle. Furthermore, themultimode fiber can randomize polarization to introduce polarizationdiversity which reduces the appearance of speckle.

The video projector system 100 includes one or more optical enginemodules 115 configured to modulate light from the light engine modules110 according to signals received from the video processing modules 105.Some embodiments of a laser projector system 100 provide multipleoptical engine modules 115 to provide multiple video or image outputs.For example, two optical engine modules 115 can be used to create twocorresponding video streams with orthogonal polarizations to createstereoscopic video. As another example, a video processing module 105can be used to drive two or more optical engine modules 115 (eachoptical module 115 having at least one light engine module 110) todisplay identical data on the screen 120 thereby increasing thebrightness of the displayed image on the screen, such as for an outdoordisplay where four projector heads (and their associated laser modules)display the same data on the screen. As another example, multipleoptical engine modules 115 can be used to display a video stream thathas a higher resolution than any individual optical engine module 115.This can be accomplished where a video processing module 105 breaks ahigh resolution video stream into multiple pieces suitable for anindividual optical engine module 115. Each optical engine module 115 canthen receive a portion of the video signal from the video processingmodule 105 and display their portion in a defined configuration on thescreen 120. As described further herein, some embodiments of the videoprojector system 100 provide for an individual optical engine module 115that can create a video stream having a higher effective resolution thanis provided by any individual light modulating element present therein.

As described more fully herein with reference to FIG. 3, the opticalengine module 115 can comprise multiple elements configured toilluminate one or more light modulation panels and direct the modulatedlight onto a screen 120. The optical engine module 115 can includeintegrators, lenses, mirrors, prisms, relay lenses, telecentric lenses,projector lenses, spinning prismatic elements, polarizing elements,color combiners, light modulation panels, microlens arrays, movablerefracting elements, or any combination of these or other appropriateoptical components.

The cables 107 and 112 can be specialized cables including proprietaryconnectors restricting third party connections to the modular system.Restricting third party access through cables and connectors can protectthe projector system 100 from the connection of incompatible equipmentthat may damage components in the projector system 100. In someembodiments, component access to the projector system 100 is restrictedthrough the use of encrypted connections which require an authenticationthrough the use of a PIN or other identification or authorization means.The cables and connectors 107, 112 can provide the capability to createa modular video projector system 100 by allowing multiple modules tointerconnect to create a unified video projector system 100.

FIG. 1B shows an example embodiment of a modular video projector system100 with a video processing module 105, multiple light engine modules110, and an optical engine module or projector head 115. The videoprocessing module 105 and the light engine modules 110 are shown mountedin a rack 125 configured to house the modules. The optical engine module115 is illustrated as positioned on top of the rack 125, but it can beplaced anywhere within reach of the cables 107, 112, and can be inanother room from the rack 125 with the modules 105, 110. The videoprocessing module 105 and the light engine modules 110 can be configuredto be mountable in such a rack 125 to advantageously provide a systemthat is easy to setup, configure, and which may be easy to disassemble,transport, and reassemble.

The video processing module 105 can be configured to provide videosignals to the optical engine module 115 through the use of one or morecables 107. The video signals can be encrypted such that only theoptical module 115 is capable of decrypting the signal.

The light engine modules 110 can each contribute red, green, and bluelight to the optical engine 115. The red light from each of the lightengine modules 110 can be delivered with a cable comprising a fiberoptic bundle with an optical fiber for each red light source in thelight engine modules 110. For example, the video projector system 100comprises five light engine modules 110, each with one source of redlight. The cable 112 can include a red light fiber optic bundlecomprising five optical fibers carrying the red light from each of thefive light engine modules 110, one optical fiber per red light source inthe light engine module 115. The blue light and green light from thelight engine modules 115 can be delivered to the optical engine module115 through similar means. As described in greater detail herein, thelight from the optical fibers can be integrated together and combined inthe optical engine module 115. As illustrated, the video projectorsystem 100 includes five light engine modules 110. Other numbers oflight engine modules can be used, including, for example, one, two,three, four, or more than five.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the video projector system 100 includesseparate modules for producing light, generating video signals, andmodulating the produced light. In some embodiments, one or more of thesemodules can be combined into a single unit or module. For example, alight engine can be combined with an optical engine in the videoprojector system 100. In such embodiments, the light sources can producethe light that is subsequently modulated by modulation panels within thesame housing or structure. The light can be delivered from the lightsources using fiber optic cables, as described, or using opticalcomponents such as lenses, prisms, and/or mirrors. As another example, avideo processor, a light engine, and an optical engine can be combinedto form a unitary, integrated video projector system 100. Combining themodules into one or more units may remove certain cabling orcommunication elements from the above description, but the functionalityand general structure largely may remain unchanged. For example, thecabling between the video processor and the optical engine and/or thecabling between the light engine and the optical engine may be removedor modified when these modules are included together in a videoprojector system 100.

Example Optical Engine Module

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an optical engine 115 for a videoprojector system 100 according to some embodiments. For instance, theoptical engine 115 described in FIG. 3 may be compatible with a modularprojector system and/or be the optical engine module 115 describedherein, e.g., with respect to FIGS. 1-2. As described above, the opticalengine module 115 receives light from the light engine 110, receivesvideo signals from the video processor 105, modulates the received lightusing the received video signals, and projects the resulting video orimage for display on the screen 120. The optical engine 115 can utilizevarious elements suitable for accomplishing the goal of modulatingincoming light and projecting an image or video. An example embodimentof an optical engine 115 is described herein having the describedelements configured in the described fashion, but this merely representsan example embodiment and other embodiments having different elementsconfigured in different manners are within the scope of the followingdisclosure.

The optical engine 115 receives light 305 from the light engine 110. Asillustrated, the light can be configured to lie within three generalwavelength bands falling within the red, green, and blue portions of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum, respectively. Other colors andcombinations could be utilized as well to achieve a desired brightness,detail, and color for the resulting image and video. The light 305 canbe delivered to the optical engine 115 through optical fiber, includingsingle mode or multimode fiber, or through other means. As describedherein, the use of multimode fiber can result in a reduction in speckledue to phase angle diversity and angular diversity.

Example Integrator

The received light 305 is first passed into an integrator 310. Theintegrator 310 can be configured to homogenize the light 305. Theintegrator 310 can also increase the angular diversity of the light 305to reduce speckle. In some embodiments, the integrator 310 is a hollowor solid internally reflective light pipe which uses multiplereflections to convert incoming light into a uniform rectangular patternof outgoing light. The integrator 310 can be used to improve uniformityof light over a surface, such as a modulating panel, and efficientlymatch the aspect ratio of the illumination source to the modulatingpanel.

In some embodiments, the integrator 310 includes a horizontal dispersinghomogenizing rod and a lenticular lens array. The lenticular lens arraycan increase angle diversity of the light source by dispersing theincoming light over a multitude of angles. For example, two lenticulardiffusers can be used in the horizontal and vertical directions beforeand after the homogenizer, creating an angular splitting of the outputlight rays in a widened “fan,” spatially integrating the light into aflat field across each modulating element. As a result, the opticalengine can reduce the appearance of speckle. In some embodiments, theintegrator 310 includes a homogenizing rod and a rotating or vibratingphase-shift disk. By introducing time-varying phase shift in the rays oflight moving through the integrator 310, speckle reduction can beimproved by effectively averaging out the spatial and temporal coherencebetween each successive scan of the light source. The integrator 310 canalso include other optical elements configured to distribute light fromthe light source uniformly over a defined area. For example, theintegrator can include mirrors, lenses, and/or refracting elements,designed to horizontally and vertically distribute light. Someembodiments provide separate homogenizing optics for each incoming colorof light 305.

Example Slit-Scanning System

Light leaving the integrator 310 can then be transmitted to the spinner315. In some embodiments, the light from the integrator 310 is partiallyor completely focused on or within the spinning element in the spinner315. FIG. 4 shows an example of a slit scanning system 315 in a videoprojector system 100. The spinner or slit scanning system 315 includes arefracting polygon 405 configured to rotate at a determined rate. Whenthe light passes through the spinning element 405, the light isrefracted, and the spinning of the element changes the vertical orhorizontal position of the light upon exiting the spinner 315. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the rays from the integrator 310 are scanned froman initial position to a final position according to the rotation of thespinner 405. Some embodiments provide for spinning elements 405 for eachincoming color of light from the integrator, as described more fullyherein with reference to FIG. 6.

In some projector systems, different colors of light are sequentiallytransmitted onto an entire (or substantially entire) modulating panel.In some slit-scanned embodiments, a hex-spinner 405 is used to allowslits of red, green, and blue light, intermixed with blank or blackperiods or black, to scan across a modulating panel. Each slit mayinclude a subset of one or more adjacent rows, for example (e.g., 1, 2,3, 5, 10, 100, 180, 200 or more rows). In some embodiments, the numberof rows covered by a slit is a fraction of the image height, and can be,for example, about ⅓rd of the image height, about ¼th of the imageheight, about ⅙th of the image height, about ⅛th of the image height,about 1/12th of the image height, or some other fraction. As an example,the image height is 1080 rows, and the slit comprises 180 rows. The markto space ratio can be defined based at least in part on a settling timeof the modulating panel, which relates to the speed at which successiveframes can be scanned. Some advantages of the slit-scannedimplementation include that the effective frame rate is increased by afactor of three or about three because red, green, and blue aredisplayed three times during the time it takes sequentially-scannedprojector systems to display each color once. Another advantage can bereduction or elimination of chromatic aberration when compared tosequentially-scanned projector systems which may display a perceptibleoffset of red, green, and blue portions of a fast moving image.

In some embodiments, the spinner 405 is coated to reduce speckle. Thecoating on the spinner 405 can increase angular diversity by diffusingthe light. The coating on the mirror may also introduce artifacts intoan image by making the edges of the light received from the integrator310 spread out. In some embodiments, a microlens array 410 is includedbefore the spinner 405, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The microlens array410 can increase angular diversity, and thus reduce speckle, bydispersing the light and spreading it out over a larger angular range.In some embodiments, the microlens array 410 is a lenticular lensoriented such that the lenticules are oriented parallel to the axis ofrotation of the spinner 405. In some embodiments, a microlens array canbe included after the spinner 405 in the optical path of the projector,instead of or in addition to being included before the spinner 405.

FIG. 5 shows a hexagonal spinner 405 in combination with a microlensarray 410 scanning a light source in a vertical direction. The lightfirst enters the microlens array 410 to introduce angular diversity andreduce speckle. The light then gets refracted by the hexagonal spinner405 to be scanned as a slit across a modulating panel (not shown).

FIG. 6 shows some embodiments of a spinner system 315 in combinationwith a microlens array 410 and having one spinner 405 a-c for each of ared, green, and blue light source. The spinners 405 a-c are offset fromone another in angle so that each corresponding color is refracted at adifferent angle. FIG. 7 shows a slit scanning system 315 scanning a red,green, and blue light source 402 vertically across an LCoS panel 420.The spinning elements 405 a-c are offset from one another in phase suchthat bands of red, green, and blue are scanned down the LCoS modulatingpanel with each color being incident on a different portion of the LCoSpanel at any given time. The speed with which the scanning of thevarious color occurs can result in a viewer's brain blending the colorsand perceiving a spectrum of colors. Furthermore, the bands of light 407exiting the spinning elements are spatially separated meaning that thereare gaps between the bands of light where there is substantially nolight from the light source. Such gaps between the bands of light can besufficiently large to provide the elements of the LCoS panel enough timeto recover (e.g., reset or otherwise regain the ability to effectivelymodulate light) during the time that there is no red, green, or bluelight incident thereon. An advantage of this configuration is that onemodulating panel can be used to modulate red, green, and blue lightwithout requiring a separate modulating panel for each.

Example Color Combiner

Referring again to FIG. 3, the light leaving the spinner 315 can betransmitted to a color combiner 320. The color combiner 320 can beconfigured to combine the light paths of the three separate colors intoa single light path 322. In some embodiments, the color combiner 320includes an optical delay compensator, one or more right angle prism(s)configured to direct light from different paths into a color combinercube, wherein the color combiner cube is configured to direct the lightonto a common optical path. In some embodiments, the color combiner 320includes additional optical components, including elements configured toprovide a telecentric focus. In some embodiments, the combined lightwill travel along a common light path, but still be offset from oneanother vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. As described herein,the offset between the colors can be used to sequentially scan the lightacross modulating panels.

Example Polarizer and Modulator

Returning to FIG. 3, the combined light 322 leaving the color combiner320 can be transmitted to a four-way polarizer and light modulatingpanel 325. FIG. 8A shows a four-way polarizing element 802 and dual LCoSpanels 820 a, 820 b according to some embodiments. The optical engine115 can be configured to utilize vertically polarized light in additionto horizontally polarized light. Some projector systems do not use bothpolarizations and can lose efficiency and luminosity as a result. Thus,the polarizer 325 can manipulate the light from the color combiner 322such that both vertical and horizontal polarization is present. In someembodiments, the different polarizations can be used in stereoscopicapplications or to increase a brightness of a displayed image or video.In some embodiments, the dual LCoS panels 820 a, 820 b can be offsetfrom one another or produce pixel data that are offset from one anotherto enhance or double resolution.

The polarizer and modulator 325 can include a quarter wave plate 805configured to rotate the polarization of the light 322. The polarizerand modulator 325 can include broadband beam-splitting polarizers 810 aand 810 b. The beam-splitting polarizers 810 a, 810 b can be configuredto split the incident beam into two beams of differing linearpolarization. Polarizing beam splitters can produce fully polarizedlight, with orthogonal polarizations, or light that is partiallypolarized. Beam splitting polarizers can be advantageous to use becausethey do not substantially absorb and/or dissipate the energy of therejected polarization state, and so they are more suitable for use withhigh intensity beams such as laser light. Polarizing beam splitters canalso be useful where the two polarization components are to be usedsimultaneously. The polarizer and modulator 325 can also includehalf-wave polarization rotators 815 configured to change thepolarization direction of linear polarized light.

In some embodiments, the polarizer and modulator 325 includes two LCoSlight modulating panels 820 a, 820 b. This allows the optical enginemodule 115 to drive the panels identically and combine the modulatedlight at output, thereby maintaining and using both orthogonalpolarizations of the incoming light. As a result, the video projectorsystem 100 can efficiently use the light provided by the light engine110. In some embodiments, the LCoS panels 820 a, 820 b are drivendifferently for stereoscopic use or for increasing or enhancingresolution. In some embodiments, the LCoS panels 820 a, 820 b producepixels that are offset from one another to enhance resolution.

In some embodiments, the two LCoS light modulating panels 820 a, 820 bhave the same or substantially the same number of pixels and pixelconfiguration. In certain embodiments, the polarizer and modulator 325is configured to combine light from corresponding pixels from the twoLCoS light modulating panels 820 a, 820 b to form a single output pixel.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, a first LCoS panel 820 a (panel“A”) and a second LCoS panel 820 b (panel “B”) can have a matrix ofpixels where the number and configuration of pixels in the two panelsare substantially identical (e.g., for clarity and simplicity in theillustrations in FIGS. 8B and 8C, each panel has a matrix of pixels thatis 4×6). The polarizer and modulator 325 can combine modulated lightfrom a first pixel in the LCoS light modulating panel 820 a (e.g., pixelA0,0) and modulated light from a corresponding first pixel in the LCoSlight modulating panel 820 b (e.g., pixel B0,0) to form a single pixel(e.g., pixel A+B0,0). The polarizer and modulator 325 can do this forall pixels in the panels, e.g., combining pixels A0,0 through A5,3 withcorresponding pixels B0,0 through B5,3 to form A+B0,0 through A+B5,3. Asdescribed herein, this can be used, for example, to increase an outputlight intensity or for stereoscopic use.

In certain embodiments, the polarizer and modulator 325 is configured todisplay light from corresponding pixels from the two LCoS lightmodulating panels 820 a, 820 b as two output pixels. As illustrated inFIG. 8C, the polarizer and modulator 325 can horizontally and verticallyoffset modulated light from a first pixel in the LCoS light modulatingpanel 820 a (e.g., pixel A0,0) and modulated light from a correspondingfirst pixel in LCoS light modulating panel 820 b (e.g., pixel B0,0) toform two output pixels (e.g., pixel A0,0 and B0,0) that are horizontallyand vertically offset from one another. The polarizer and modulator 325can do this for all pixels thereby generating an output image or videohaving a resolution that is doubled. For example, resolution can bedoubled by offsetting the LCoS light, modulating panel 820 a half apixel relative to the LCoS light modulating panel 820 b. FIG. 8Cillustrates such an example where an output image comprises 48 pixelsgenerated using two LCoS panels each having 24 pixels.

The modulated light from corresponding pixels in the two LCoS lightmodulating panels 820 a, 820 b can be offset horizontally, vertically,or diagonally upon exiting the polarizer and modulator 325. In someembodiments, to offset the modulated light, the two LCoS lightmodulating panels 820 a, 820 b can be physically offset from one anothersuch that optical paths through the polarizer and modulator 325 forcorresponding pixels in the two panels are horizontally, vertically, ordiagonally offset from one another. In certain embodiments, the LCoSlight modulating panels 820 a, 820 b can be coupled to a moving element(e.g., an actuator) that can move one or both of the LCoS lightmodulating panels 820 a, 820 b to be alternatively aligned or offset. Insome embodiments, to offset the modulated light, the combination ofoptical elements in the polarizer and modulator 325 can be configured tocreate optical paths for the LCoS light modulating panels 820 a, 820 bthat result in corresponding pixels that, are horizontally, vertically,or diagonally offset from one another. The optical elements in thepolarizer and modulator 325 can be configured to move or otherwisechange properties such that modulated light from corresponding pixels inthe LCoS light modulating panels 820 a, 820 b can be alternativelyaligned or offset.

Returning to FIG. 3, the modulated light from the polarizer andmodulator 325 can be transmitted to a telecentric relay lens 330. Thetelecentric relay lens 330 can be configured to invert an image andextend an optical tube. The telecentric lens 330 can be configured toleave the image size from the polarizer and modulator 325 unchanged withobject displacement. The telecentric relay lens 330 can beadvantageously used to maintain the luminous characteristics of themodulated image leaving the polarizer and modulator 325.

Example Deformable Mirror

The light from the relay lens 330 can be transmitted to a deformablemirror 335. The deformable mirror 335 can be configured to correct lensdistortion in the optical engine 115. In some embodiments, thedeformable mirror 335 reflects light from the relay lens 330 to amicrolens array 340. When the microlens array 340 is at a focus of thelight leaving the deformable mirror 335, it can be desirable to correctlens distortion which, if left uncorrected, may cause light to fallbetween elements of the microlens array 340 resulting in a moirépattern.

FIG. 9 shows example functionality of a deformable mirror 335 in a videoprojector system. In some embodiments, a noise source is applied to thedeformable mirror 335 to randomize or create variation in wave-frontsincident thereon, as illustrated in the graphic on the right in FIG. 9.For example, the noise source can perturb the deformable mirror 335through modulated RF signals, through lower frequency signals, orthrough some other source of random or pseudo-random electromagnetic oracoustic signals. Randomizing the wave fronts can advantageouslyincrease phase angle diversity and reduce speckle.

Example Microlens Array and Sub-Pixel Generator

Returning to FIG. 3, the light reflected from the deformable mirror 335can then be incident on a sub-pixel generator 338 comprising a microlensarray 340 and a wobbler 345. In some embodiments, the microlens array340 can be configured to reduce the size of each pixel to a fraction ofits original size. For example, the microlens array 340 can beconfigured to reduce the size of the pixel to one-fourth of its originalsize, half of its original size, one-third of its original size,one-eighth of its original size, one-sixteenth of its original size, orsome other fraction. The wobbler 345 can be configured to move such thatthe light rays corresponding to pixels from the microlens array 340 aretranslated in space corresponding to the movements of the wobbler 345.

FIGS. 10A-C show some embodiments of a sub-pixel generator 338comprising a microlens array 340 and a wobbler 345. The wobbler 345 canbe a material that has desirable transmissive properties and thatrefracts light in a desired fashion (e.g., a transparent piece ofglass). Incoming light passes through the microlens array 340 and thepixel size is reduced to a fraction of its original size. The wobbler345 then moves the reduced-size pixel to a desired location. The wobblergenerator 345 can be configured to move in two or three dimensions.Speckle can be reduced through the combination of these elements due toincreased angular diversity and temporal averaging and spatial coherencedestruction. Angular diversity is created when moving the reduced-sizepixel to different locations on the screen. Temporal averaging ofcontrast and destroying spatial coherence arises from repeatedly movingthe reduced-size pixel within a resolved spot.

FIGS. 10D-E show embodiments of the sub-pixel generator 338 withdifferent mechanisms that cause the wobbler 345 to move. In FIG. 10D,the wobbler 345 is attached to a spinning axle 370 in a plane that isnot perpendicular or parallel to the axis. Because the wobbler 345 isnot oriented perpendicular to the spinning axle, but is instead orientedat some non-right angle with respect to the spinning axle, the wobbler345 wobbles (as indicated by the dashed line), and when light isincident on the wobbler 345, it is refracted in a known pattern. In FIG.10F, the wobbler 345 has actuators 375 attached to its corners. Theactuators 375 can be configured to move the wobbler 345 in variouspatterns such that the reduced-size pixel is translated as well. FIG.10F illustrates example patterns for a pixel that has been reduced insize to one-quarter of its original size. The reduced-size pixel can bemoved in a square, circle, FIG. 8, infinity shape, or some other shape.In some embodiments, the wobbler 345 of the sub-pixel generator 338 canmove the reduced-size pixel to two locations, three locations, fourlocations, eight locations, sixteen locations, or another number oflocations according to any suitable movement pattern. The movementpattern can be repeated to display video or images having an enhancedresolution, as described herein. In some embodiments, the number oflocations is inversely proportional to the size of the reduced pixel.For example, where the pixel is reduced to half the size of the originalpixel, the reduced pixel can be moved to two locations. Where the pixelis reduced to one-eighth its original size, the reduced pixel can bemoved to eight locations. Thus, the area covered by the original pixelcan be substantially covered by the reduced-size pixel when moved to theconfigured locations within the area. In this manner, the effectiveresolution can be increased by 2×, 4×, 8×, 16×, 32×, 64× or more.

In some embodiments, the optical engine 115 can receive a signal fromthe video processor 105 and convert the resolution into a higherresolution through interpolation of pixel information. In someembodiments, the optical engine 115 can display video informationreceived from the video processor 105 that has a resolution that exceedsthe resolution of the modulating panels within the optical engine 115.For example, the optical engine 115 can take spatially modulated lightand combine it to make a higher resolution using the sub-pixel generator345. For example, the LCoS imagers having 1920×1080 pixels can beconfigured to produce 2D/3D Quad-HD (3840×2160) resolution. The opticalengine 115 can include circuitry and processing electronics that receivethe video signal from the video processor 105 and generate a modulationsignal for the modulating panels. For example, the video processor 105can deliver 4 k video data to the optical engine 115. The optical engineelectronics can time multiplex the signal to generate a sequence ofsignals configured to drive one or two 1 k modulating panels toreproduce the 4 k video data received from the video processor 105 whenthe modulated light is shown in succession.

The sub-pixel generator 338 can be configured to enhance the resolutionof the modulating panels, such as an LCoS panel. As an example an LCoSpanel can have 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels. Themicrolens array 340 can gather light from the color combiner 320, orother element, and substantially focus it into a central portion of eachpixel on the LCoS panel. The result would be an array of 1920×1080reflected pixel images, each a quarter of the size of an LCoS pixel. Thewobbler 345 can then be moved in such a way that the reduced-size pixelsmoved left and right by one-quarter pixel and up and down by one-quarterpixel, the result would be a collection of four one-quarter-sized pixelsfilling the space that a full-sized pixel would have occupied absent themicrolens array 340. Displaying the four sub-pixels in rapid successioncould then create effectively higher resolution displayed video. Forinstance, the projector system can display the video data at least aboutthe native resolution of the input data (e.g., 3840×2160). Moreover,because of the relative speed with which the LCoS can be refreshed dueat least in part to the slit-scanning method outlined herein, the LCoSpanels can refresh at a relatively high rate (e.g., about 240 Hz). Thus,according to some embodiments, the optical engine 115 can display videohaving an effective resolution of 3840×2160 pixels and an effectiveframe rate of about 60 Hz.

In some embodiments, LCoS panels can be offset from one another,effectively doubling the resolution of the system, as described hereinwith reference to FIG. 8C. Moreover, as discussed with respect to FIGS.10A-10I, the sub-pixel generator 338 can be used to enhance theresolution of the offset LCoS panels by reducing the size of a pixel(e.g., to one-quarter of the original size) and moving the sub-pixel tomultiple (e.g., four locations) in rapid succession. These techniquesmay be combined in some cases. As one example, the panels are offset,the pixel size is reduced to half the size, and the sub-pixel is movedto two locations, resulting in a resolution that is four times thenative resolution of a single LCoS panel. In this example, the effectiveframe rate is twice the effective frame rate relative to the situationdescribed above where the LCoS panels are aligned and the sub-pixelgenerator 345 moves quarter-sized sub-pixels to four locations for asingle output frame. For example, using vertically offset 1920×1080 LCoSpanels (e.g., offset by ½ the distance between the pixels) that canrefresh at about 240 Hz, the optical engine 115 can display video datahaving a resolution of 1920×2160 with an effective frame rate of 240 Hzwithout using the sub-pixel generator 345 and the microlens array 340because each pixel of the two LCoS panels is displayed once per outputframe. The optical engine 115 can display video having a resolution of3840×2160 with an effective frame rate of 120 Hz by using the sub-pixelgenerator 345 and the microlens array 340 to reduce the size of outputpixels from the LCoS panels and move them horizontally such that theoptical engine 115 displays each pixel of the two LCoS panels twice peroutput frame to enhance resolution.

The following illustrates an example method of enhancing resolutionusing a video projector system 100 having two diagonally offset panelsin an optical engine 115. The projector system 100 can receive orproduce in the video processor 105 a source signal having a firstresolution (e.g., 7680×4320, 3840×2160, 1920×1080, etc.). The videoprocessor 105 can subsample the source signal as two horizontally andvertically interleaved signals having a second resolution that is halfof the first resolution. As a result of the subsampling, the videoprocessor 105 can produce two video or image streams with interleavedpixels, similar to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8C. The videoprocessor 105 can then encode the two subsampled signals as twosynchronized image streams. The video processor 105 can send the twosynchronized image streams to the optical engine 115 which has twodiagonally-offset LCoS panels that each have one-fourth the number ofpixels of the source signal and one-half the number of pixels of thesubsampled signals. Using the sub-pixel generator 345 to size and movethe output of the LCoS panel pixels, the optical engine 115 can recreatethe two interleaved images, each having the same resolution as thesubsampled signal. The optical engine 115 can then display thesynchronized interleaved images to substantially emulate the originalsource signal.

In some embodiments, moving the reduced-sized pixel is accomplished bymoving the modulation panel, the microlens array, or both. FIGS. 10G-Ishow example embodiments having a microlens array in front of a lightmodulation panel. A microlens can be placed in front of each pixel usinga microlens array. The lens can be configured to gather light incidentthereon and focus it into a central portion of each pixel. The lightwould then reflect off the pixel mirror and return to the lens surfacewhere an image of the pixel would be resolved by another opticalcomponent, such as a projection lens. The resulting imaged pixel wouldbe a fraction of the size of pixel on the panel. The panel could then bemoved in such a way that the pixels move left, right, up, and/or down toform a collection of reduced-sized pixels filling the space that afull-sized pixel would have occupied.

FIG. 10G shows a cross-section of a small portion of an LCoS panel witha microlens array disposed on one side. Moving from left to right, firstthe panel pixels are shown. Next to the LCoS pixels is the liquidcrystal, then the cover glass. The cover glass has a microlens surfaceto the right side of the cover glass. This microlens array has a focallength such that the light from the illumination optics is reflected offof the pixel and imaged at half-size on the lens surface. FIG. 10H isanother example embodiment of a LCoS panel having a cover-glassthickener to stiffen the cover glass. FIG. 10I shows an example opticalpath of light starting from the entrance of light that would cover onepixel if the beam were telecentric, as shown by the light dotted lines.With the beam having a relative high F/#, such as f/20, the illuminationspreads from the one-pixel size at the entrance to the cover glass tocovering a 9-pixel area at the pixel mirror surface. The microlenses ofthe eight surrounding pixels orient the rays to be telecentric on eachof their respective pixels. The rays are then reflected off of the pixelmirror surface and returned to the surface of the micro-lens where the ¼size pixel image is formed. The LCoS panel can be configured to be movedsuch that the resulting pixel image moves in a defined configuration. Aprojection lens can be focused on the micro-lens surface, with theresulting image being projected on a screen. By scanning the quarterpixels in four different locations at a suitable rate, the projectorsystem can display images having an enhanced resolution. In someembodiments, the microlens array is configured to perform an f-numberconversion. For example, the microlens array can convert from about anf-number of 17 to an f-number that matches the projection lens (e.g., anf-number of about 4). This can reduce speckle in the system throughintroduction of additional angle diversity.

FIGS. 10J-M show various views of an example sub-pixel generator 338 fora video projector system 100. FIG. 10N shows an exploded view of thesub-pixel generator 338 illustrated in FIGS. 10J-M. In the illustration,modulated light enters from the upper right of the drawing and exits thesub-pixel generator 345 at the lower left.

The sub-pixel generator 338 includes housing 1005. Within the housing,the sub-pixel generator 338 includes a plate 1004 configured to hold amicrolens array 340. The micro-lens array is positioned to receivemodulated light from the LCoS panels, after a relay lens, and to reducea size of the pixel. The sub-pixel generator 338 includes a speakerplate 1002 with four speakers 1002 a, 1002 b, 1002 c, 1002 d, locatedthereon. On the opposite side of the speaker plate 1002, there ismounted a refractive element 345 with corners attached to the oppositeside of the speakers 1002 a, 1002 b, 1002 c, and 1002 d. The refractiveelement 345 can be any suitable material and can have a thicknessbetween about 2 mm and about 4 mm, between about 1 mm and about 5 mm, orbetween about 0.5 mm and about 7 mm. The speakers 1002 a, 1002 b, 1002c, and 1002 d receive an electrical signal that causes the speakers tooscillate or vibrate. This oscillation or vibration moves the refractiveelement 345 in a pattern to move the sub-pixels produced by themicrolens array 340 to various positions.

The movement of the refractive element 345 can be substantiallycontinuous and it can move in a repeating pattern, as described withreference to FIG. 10F. The frequency of the pattern can be related to afrequency of the spinner element. In some embodiments, the frequency ofthe movement of the refractive element 345 can be independent of thefrequency (or frame rate) of the input video data. This can serve toeffectively optically and digitally filter the signal by continuouslychanging the position of the sub-pixels within a pixel such that theyeffectively wash away hard borders between pixel elements, or the pixelsbecome effectively non-apparent. This can have the effect of reducing orminimizing distortions or artifacts in image related to Nyquist samplingby removing optical side bands in the displayed video which can reduceor eliminate aliasing, for example. The result can be substantiallyindependent of pixel size and/or video frame rate as the frequency ofthe pattern is unrelated to those values. In some embodiments, thefrequency of the pattern and the frequency of the spinning scanner canbe configured to reduce or minimize the appearance of flicker in thedisplayed video. The result can be a digital projector that is capableof producing output video with a film-like quality but without theappearance of film grain. In some embodiments, the frequency of therepetition of the pattern by the refractive element 345 is between about75 Hz and about 85 Hz, between about 40 Hz and about 120 Hz, or betweenabout 30 Hz and about 250 Hz.

The sub-pixel generator 338 includes compensator motors 1001 andcompensator wheels 1003. The compensator wheels can include quarter waveplates in them to adjust a polarization of the light passing throughthem. The compensator motors 1001 and wheels 1003, with theiraccompanying quarter wave plates, can be used to adjust the stereoscopicproperties of the output video. This can be used to calibrate theprojector 100 according to a theater, 3D glasses, and/or screen wherethe projector 100 is to be used. The sub-pixel generator 338 includes ahall sensor 1009 attached to the housing to provide feedback on thepositions of the compensator wheels 1003. This can provide informationto a user regarding the relative orientations of the fast and slow axesof the quarter wave plates mounted on the compensator wheels 1003.

The sub-pixel generator 338 includes two compensator motors 1001 and twocompensator wheels 1003. In some embodiments, a greater number can beused, including three, four, or more than four. In some embodiments,there can be one compensator motor 1001 and one compensator wheel 1003.In some embodiments, the wobbler does not include a compensator motor1001 or wheel 1003. The sub-pixel generator 338 includes various screwsand attachment mechanisms 1010, 1011, and 1012 for respectivelyattaching the speaker plate 1006, the sensor board 1009, and thecompensator motors 1001 to the housing 1005.

Example Projection Lens

Returning to FIG. 3, after leaving the microlens array 340 and thesub-pixel generator 345, the light enters the projection lens 350. Theprojection lens 350 can be configured to substantially focus a video orimage created by an optical engine module 115 onto a screen 120. In someembodiments, the projection lens 350 is coated for broad spectrum light.In some embodiments, the lens 350 does not have a coating because thelight source provides narrow band light rather than broad spectrumlight.

Example Schematic Diagram of an Optical Engine Module

FIGS. 11A and 11B show schematic diagrams of some embodiments of anoptical engine in a video projector system. FIG. 11A shows five opticalfibers configured to transmit light from a light source to the opticalengine module 115. In some embodiments, five fibers can be used totransmit a single color of light. In some embodiments using three colorsof light, fifteen fibers can be used. Other numbers of fiber can be usedto transmit light between a light source and the optical engine module115. In some embodiments, a separate color cable for each color of lightcan be used, wherein each color cable comprises at least one fiberoptics, at least two fiber optics, at least three fiber optics, at leastfour fiber optics, at least five fiber optics, or more than five fiberoptics. In some embodiments, a first fiber optic in a color cable can beused to couple light of a first color from a first light engine module,a second fiber optic in the color cable can be used to couple light ofthe first color from a second light engine module, a third fiber opticin the color cable can be used to couple light of the first color from athird light engine module, and so on. In some embodiments, when onelight engine module is used, the center fiber optic of each color cablecan be used to efficiently illuminate the homogenizer B. In someembodiments, when two light engine modules are used, the fiber optics oneither side of the central fiber optic can be used. In some embodiments,when three light engine modules are used, the outer fiber optics and thecentral fiber optic can be used to deliver light of a single color tothe optical engine. The light from the optical fibers is transmittedinto a first homogenizer B. After the first homogenizer B, the lightpasses through a lenticular lens array C and a plano-convex lens D intoa second homogenizer E. The light leaving the second homogenizer E isthen collimated using plano-convex cylindrical lens F which issubsequently focused by plano-convex lens G. The focused light reflectsoff mirrors H and J onto another lenticular lens array K. The light thenencounters the hexagonal spinner L and transmitted through lenses M andN to the color combiner illustrated in FIG. 11B.

In FIG. 11B, the red, green, and blue lights are combined using a seriesof delay compensators B and prisms A such that they depart the colorcombiner C traveling along the same optical path (while being verticallyseparated due to the spinner L in FIG. 11A). The light passes through atelecentric focus comprising a prism D and Plano-convex lens F. Thelight enters the polarizing and modulating element through a quarterwave plate G, and is divided depending on polarization into two paths.Both paths pass through a broadband polarizer M and a half wavepolarization plate J before impinging on Left and Right LCoS panels H.The light leaves the LCoS panels and is combined at prism K to be passedto a telecentric relay lens N. The modulated and polarized light thenpasses through a quarter wave plate G before passing through a microlensarray P and a window R. The polarized, modulated, and focused light thenpasses through the projection lens to be displayed. In some embodiments,the Left and Right LCoS panels are offset from one another toeffectively double the number of output pixels of the light enginemodule.

Light Engine with LEDs

The video projector systems described herein can use laser light toprovide illumination for the modulating panels. In some embodiments,LEDs can be used in addition to or instead of laser light. To providesufficient luminosity, LEDs can be combined using the techniquesdescribed herein below to increase the output of the LEDs. By combiningthe LEDs, the output power can be increased and/or tuned to produce asatisfactory video output. LEDs can be a suitable alternative to lasersin some implementations based at least in part on their efficiency,compactness, large color gamut, long lifetime, low supply voltage,ability to switch on and off rapidly, etc. However, some LEDs providelower optical power per unit source area and solid angle of emission(e.g., luminance) compared to lasers or other light sources. It may bedesirable to combine the output of multiple LEDs to provide a lightsource with the advantageous properties of LEDs while providingsufficiently high luminance Therefore, systems are provided that can beused to combine LED output for use in a projector system, such as alight engine module described herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of an example system for combining lightfrom two or more LEDs of the same color to increase a power of a lightengine. By using the LED combining system, a monochromatic source ofincoherent light can be provided. This can reduce speckle in theresulting video output compared to laser light sources due at least inpart to using incoherent light sources. In addition, the LED combiningsystem can be used to dynamically change a number of LEDs used toprovide a particular color of light thereby changing the luminance ofthe light source.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, five blue LEDs are combined using acombination of gradually tapering light pipes (GTLPs), lenses,polarization grating-polarization conversion systems (PG-PCS) andpolarizing beam splitters. Different numbers of LEDs can be usedincluding, but not limited to, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100,etc. The LEDs used to create a monochromatic source of light can providea range of colors within an accepted band of color. For example, blueLEDs can provide blue light with a wavelength that is within about 100nm of an average or desired blue wavelength, within about 50 nm, withinabout 30 nm, within about 20 nm, or within about 10 nm. In addition, theLED combining system of FIG. 12 can be used with any color of LEDsincluding red, green, cyan, yellow, magenta, white, UV, etc.

The LED combining system of FIG. 12 can use GTLPs to collect, reshape,and/or uniformize the light flux from the LEDs to illuminate the opticalcomponents of the system in a substantially uniform manner. The LEDcombining system can also use lenses to focus or collimate the lightexiting the GTLPs. The LED combining system can use PG-PCS components toefficiently polarize the LED light. PG-PCS optical components can bedesirable to use because they can polarize approximately 90% of thelight incident thereon, compared to traditional polarizing filters whichmay only polarize about 50% of the incident light with the rest beinglost. In some implementations, instead of PG-PCS optical components anypolarizing optical components can be used that efficiently polarizelight by polarizing at least about 70% of the incident light, at leastabout 75% of the incident light, at least about 80% of the incidentlight, at least about 85% of the incident light, or at least about 90%of the incident light. By using the efficient polarization opticalcomponents, the efficiency of the LED light source system can beincreased to levels that provide satisfactory results compared to othersystems that use traditional polarization technologies. In someembodiments, a PG-PCS optical component can use a combination ofmicro-lens arrays, polarization gratings, louvered multi-twistretarders, and the like to efficiently polarize incident light. Anexample PG-PCS optical component is provided by ImagineOptix Corp. ofNorth Carolina, USA and has a part number of E3 PGPCS.

The LED combining system of FIG. 12 can use polarizing beam splitters tocombine the output from multiple LEDs after each has gone through atleast one PG-PCS. The polarizing beam splitters can efficiently directpolarized light along a desired path, thereby combining the polarizedlight from the PG-PCS optical components. In this way, the light frommultiple LEDs can be efficiently combined to provide a substantiallymonochromatic output.

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram of an example light engine employing theLED combining system of FIG. 12 for a plurality of colors of LED. Forexample, blue, red, and green LEDs can each be associated with their ownLED combining system, such as the one described with reference to FIG.12. The output of each of the LED combining systems can then be combinedto provide polychromatic light output that can be used in a modulatedprojector system. As illustrated, the light engine module uses threeLEDs for each of the three colors red, green, and blue. However,different numbers of LEDs can be used and each color can have adifferent number of LEDs. For example, a greater number of green LEDscan be used if it is desirable to enhance the green output of theprojector or if the green LEDs provide less luminance than the otherLEDs. In some embodiments, the light engine module can use more colors,such as adding yellow LEDs, white LEDs, etc.

The output of each of the LED combining systems can be combined usingdichroic mirrors. The mirrors can be used to direct the combined LEDoutput to another PG-PCS optical component to efficiently polarize thelight incident on the modulating panel (e.g., the LCOS panel illustratedin FIG. 13). The modulated light can then be directed to a projectorlens system for display.

FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram of an example light engine producingstereoscopic output, the light engine employing a plurality of the LEDcombining systems of FIG. 12. In some embodiments, multiple light enginemodules can be combined to provide stereoscopic output and/or LEDcombining systems can be configured to provide combined LED light havingdifferent polarizations to produce stereoscopic effects. The lightengine module of FIG. 14 uses color combiner cubes to combine the outputfrom the plurality of LED combining systems, each LED combining systembeing similar to the LED combining system illustrated in FIG. 12. Theoutput from a “right” set of LEDs can be directed onto a “right eye”LCOS panel and the output from a “left” set of LEDs can be directed ontoa “left eye” LCOS panel. The PG-PCS optical components can be used toconfigure the polarization for stereoscopic display and viewing. Thisconfiguration can reduce Fresnel loss through the use of the colorcombiner cube and polarizing beam splitters, thereby providing arelatively more efficient stereoscopic projector system.

FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram of an example light engine comprising aplurality of LEDs combined onto an LCoS panel using dichroic mirrors,polarizing beam splitters, and polarization grating-polarizationconversion systems. In this example light engine module, light from LEDshaving different colors is combined using dichroic mirrors prior tobeing combined using a combination of PG-PCS optical components andpolarizing beam splitters. This can be advantageous where modular LEDlight modules are provided having a predetermined or selected colorcombination (e.g., red-green-blue, cyan-yellow-magenta, etc.) and it isdesirable to increase luminance by increasing the number of LED modulesused in the system.

FIG. 16 shows an example light engine 110 for use with a video projectorsystem 100. The light engine 110 can include three light sourcescorresponding to a red light source 1605 a, a green light source 1605 b,and a blue light source 1605 c. The light sources can be lasers, LEDs,laser diodes, etc. The output of the light sources can be coupled tofiber optic cables, one or more for each light source.

The light engine 110 includes a cooling plate 1610 thermally coupled tothe light sources. Because the light sources are generating heat, thelight engine 110 is configured to dissipate the heat and/or carry atleast part of the heat away from the light sources 1605 a, 1605 b, 1605c. In some embodiments, the light engine 110 includes a cooling system1620 that can include active and passive cooling elements. For example,the cooling system 1620 can include a compressor used to provide coolingin the light engine 110. The cooling system can include a radiator-typedesign and can include liquid passing through cooling elements. In someembodiments, a chiller can be used to provide cooling capabilities tothe light engine 110.

FIGS. 17A-D show example light sources 1605 each comprising a pluralityof laser diodes. The light source 1605 can have a housing 1705 withmultiple structural and optical elements configured to secure the laserdiodes in the housing and to focus and direct the output light onto afiber optic cable. The light source 1605 can have a mounting plate 1730configured to support the laser diodes 1725 and to provide a heat sink.A lens plate 1720 can be positioned on the mounting plate 1730 toprovide support for lenses 1715 that correspond to the laser diodes1725. The lenses 1715 can be configured to direct the light output fromeach of the laser diodes 1725 to the reflective cap 1710 positioned inthe housing 1705. The reflective cap 1710 can be configured to reflectand/or direct the output light from the laser diodes 1725 to areflective element 1717 and then onto a fiber optic cable (not shown).In this way, the light output from the plurality of laser diodes 1725can be collected and provided as a single light source. In someembodiments, the physical orientation of the various laser diodes 1725can be arranged to reduce speckle due at least in part to polarizationdiversity (e.g., the output polarizations from the laser diodes can beconfigured to be non-uniform and/or randomized) and angular diversity(e.g., the light coming from the laser diodes travels different paths tothe fiber optic cable, effectively coming from different angles). FIGS.17B-17D illustrate a closer view of the mounting plate 1730, laserdiodes 1725, lens plate 1720, and lenses 1715 of the light sources 1605.The number of laser diodes 1725 can be different for each light source1605. In some embodiments, the number of green diodes can exceed thenumber of red laser diodes and/or blue laser diodes. For example, FIG.17D can be an illustration of a green light source having a plurality ofgreen laser diodes 1725.

FIGS. 18A-C show an example PCB board 1810 and heat sink 1815 used withthe laser diode light sources 1605 illustrated in FIGS. 17A-D. The PCBboard 1810 can be configured to provide electrical connections to aplurality of laser diodes. The PCB board 1810 can be configured toprovide a thermally conductive connection to the heat sink whileproviding electrical connection to the PCB board 1810. The laser diodescan be controlled through signals sent through a connector 1825, whichcan distribute signals to the laser diodes through the PCB board 1810.The heat sink 1815 can be configured to provide mechanical support forthe PCB board 1810 such that the PCB board 1810 can be seated within theheat sink 1815. The laser diodes can thus be electrically coupled to thePCB board 1810 and thermally coupled to the heat sink 1815. The heatsink 1815 can be configured to be large to dissipate heat generated bythe laser diodes.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example electronics board 1900 for a videoprocessor 105. The electronics board 1900 includes multiple inputs 1935for receiving input from external systems. The inputs can be anysuitable connector including, for example, HDMI, HD-SDI, DVI, and thelike. The electronics board 1900 includes multiple outputs 1940 fordelivering video data to an optical engine or projector head. Theelectronics board 1900 includes a video controller for encoding,decoding, encrypting, and/or decrypting input signals 1905. Theelectronics board 1900 includes one, two, or more video modules 1910,1920 for generating video signals appropriate for delivery to theoptical engine or projector head. The electronics board 1900 includes apackaging module 1925 for receiving the video signals from the videomodules 1910, 1920 and producing an appropriate signal for deliver tothe optical engines through the outputs 1940. The electronics board 1900can include data storage 1930. Data storage 1930 can store video filesthat can be processed by the video modules 1910, 1920 and delivered tothe projector head through the packaging module 1925 and outputs 1940.

Speckle Reduction

The video projector system described herein can include a number ofelements and/or methods configured to reduce speckle when using coherentlight sources. These elements and/or methods can be used in anycombination in embodiments of the disclosed video projector system. Anysubset of these speckle-reducing elements and/or methods can beimplemented in embodiments of the disclosed video projector system. Asdescribed in greater detail herein, the video projector system canreduce speckle by increasing, for example, wavelength diversity, anglediversity, phase angle diversity, and/or polarization diversity. Thevideo projector system can reduce speckle using any combination orsub-combination of methods or components configured to increase one ormore of wavelength diversity, angle diversity, phase angle diversity, orpolarization diversity. The video projector system can reduce speckleusing any combination of methods or components configured to decreasecoherence through temporal averaging and/or spatial coherencedestruction.

In some embodiments, speckle-reducing methods or components areindependent of one another or can be independently implemented within avideo projector system. For example, a microlens array can be placed inan optical path of an optical engine, increasing angular diversity,regardless of whether the light source includes other speckle-reducingcharacteristics, such as injecting RF-modulated signals into coherentlight sources.

In some embodiments, a speckle-reducing method or component acts toreduce speckle in a variety of ways. For example, using a plurality ofmultimode fibers to deliver light to an optical path in an opticalengine from a light source can serve to reduce speckle by increasingphase angle diversity, angular diversity, and polarization diversity, asdescribed in greater detail herein.

The video projector system can increase wavelength diversity byincreasing a spectral bandwidth of coherent light sources. The videoprojector system can increase wavelength diversity by providing coherentlight sources with similar but different wavelengths. The videoprojector system can increase wavelength diversity by injectingRF-modulated signals into the coherent light sources to broaden theemitted spectrum. Any of these components or methods of increasingwavelength diversity can be used in any combination in the videoprojector system herein disclosed.

The video projector system can increase angle diversity through couplingof fiber optics between a light source engine and an optical path in anoptical engine, as the light exiting physically separated fiber opticcables will enter an optical path with a variety of angles. The videoprojector system can increase angle diversity by varying an orientationof coherent light sources. The video projector system can increase anglediversity through optical modulators in an optical path of the opticalengine. The video projector system can increase angle diversity throughthe use of optical elements such as multi-lens arrays (e.g., microlensarrays and/or lenticular lens arrays), diffusers, deformable mirrors,moving refractive elements, and/or integrators. The video projectorsystem can increase angle diversity through the use of coatings onoptical elements. Any of these components or methods of increasing anglediversity can be used in any combination in the video projector systemherein disclosed.

The video projector system can increase phase angle diversity by usingfiber optic cables to transport light from a light engine to an opticalpath of an optical engine, the phase angle diversity being increased bythe multiple internal reflections of the light through the fiber optic.The video projector system can increase phase angle diversity bytime-varying phase shift of a coherent light source through a suitableoptical component. The video projector system can increase phase anglediversity by using multiple emitter sources in a light engine which areuncorrelated and/or non-coherently related. Any of these components ormethods of increasing phase angle diversity can be used in anycombination in the video projector system herein disclosed.

The video projector system can increase polarization diversity throughorientation and/or mechanical rotation of emitter sources in a lightengine. The video projector system can increase polarization diversitythrough the use of one or more fiber optic cables that is not configuredto maintain polarization of light propagating through it (e.g.,multimode fibers). Any of these components or methods of increasingpolarization diversity can be used in any combination in the videoprojector system herein disclosed.

In some embodiments, the video projector system can reduce speckle byutilizing a light source with component sources of light that areincoherent relative to one another.

CONCLUSION

Embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. However, it should be understood that the figures are notdrawn to scale. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and donot necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions andlayout of the devices illustrated. In addition, the foregoingembodiments have been described at a level of detail to allow one ofordinary skill in the art to make and use the devices, systems, etc.described herein. A wide variety of variation is possible. Components,elements, and/or steps can be altered, added, removed, or rearranged.While certain embodiments have been explicitly described, otherembodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artbased on this disclosure.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,”“might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, whileother embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/orstates. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended toimply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required forone or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,”“including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are usedinclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additionalelements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or”is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so thatwhen used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or”means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctivelanguage such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y and Z,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the contextas used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Yor Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to implythat certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Yand at least one of Z to each be present.

Depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or functions of anyof the methods described herein can be performed in a differentsequence, can be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not alldescribed acts or events are necessary for the practice of the method).Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events can be performedconcurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interruptprocessing, or multiple processors or processor cores, rather thansequentially. In some embodiments, the algorithms disclosed herein canbe implemented as routines stored in a memory device. Additionally, aprocessor can be configured to execute the routines. In someembodiments, custom circuitry may be used.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. The described functionalitycan be implemented in varying ways for each particular application, butsuch implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor can be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The blocks of the methods and algorithms described in connection withthe embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware,in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of thetwo. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROMmemory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removabledisk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable storage mediumknown in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processorsuch that the processor can read information from, and write informationto, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can beintegral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium canreside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In thealternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discretecomponents in a user terminal.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will beunderstood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in theform and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be madewithout departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As will berecognized, certain embodiments of the inventions described herein canbe embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features andbenefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practicedseparately from others. The scope of certain inventions disclosed hereinis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video projector system comprising: an opticalmodule configured to receive digital video data from a video processingengine and to receive light from a light source, the optical moduleconfigured to: modulate the received light according to the receiveddigital video data using a modulating element, the modulated lightcomprising a plurality of modulated pixels; for each of the modulatedpixels: generate a modulated sub-pixel based at least in part on areduction of a size of the modulated pixel; and move the modulatedsub-pixel in a geometric pattern within an area defined by the size ofthe modulated pixel; and project the modulated sub-pixels as outputvideo.
 2. The video projector system of claim 1, wherein the pattern isrepeated with a sub-pixel frequency.
 3. The video projector system ofclaim 2, wherein the sub-pixel frequency is greater than a frame rate ofthe digital video data.
 4. The video projector system of claim 3,wherein the sub-pixel frequency is at least 2 times the frame rate ofthe digital video data.
 5. The video projector system of claim 1,wherein the optical path comprises a plurality of optical elements, theplurality of optical elements configured to reduce the size of themodulated pixel to generate the modulated sub-pixel.
 6. The videoprojector system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of optical elementscomprises a microlens array.
 7. The video projector system of claim 1,wherein the optical path comprises a refractive element, the refractiveelement configured to move the modulated sub-pixel in the geometricpattern.
 8. The video projector system of claim 1, wherein the lightsource provides laser light.
 9. The video projector system of claim 1,wherein the light source provides light generated by a plurality oflight emitting diodes.
 10. The video projector system of claim 1,wherein the horizontal resolution of the received digital video data isat least about 3840 horizontal pixels.
 11. The video projector system ofclaim 1, wherein the projected modulated sub-pixels produce projectedoutput video having an effective resolution that is at least 2 timesgreater than a resolution of the modulating element.
 12. The videoprojector system of claim 11, wherein the effective resolution is atleast 4 times greater than the resolution of the modulating element. 13.A video projector system comprising: an optical path configured toreceive digital video data from a video processing engine and to receivelight from a light source, the optical path comprising: a modulatingelement configured to modulate the received light incident thereonaccording to the received digital video data, the modulating elementcomprising a plurality of pixels configured to provide a plurality ofmodulated pixels; and a sub-pixel generator comprising an opticalelement configured to move each of the plurality of modulated pixels ina geometric pattern.
 14. The video projector system of claim 13, whereinthe optical element of the sub-pixel generator comprises a movablerefractive element.
 15. The video projector system of claim 13, whereinthe sub-pixel generator further comprises a plurality of lensesconfigured to reduce a size of each of the plurality of modulatedpixels.
 16. The video projector system of claim 13, wherein themodulating element comprises an LCoS panel.
 17. The video projectorsystem of claim 13, wherein the optical path comprises at least twomodulating panels.
 18. The video projector system of claim 17, whereinprojected light from a first of the modulating panels has a differentpolarization from projected light from a second of the modulatingpanels.
 19. The video projector system of claim 13, wherein the lightsource is configured to provide at least two colors of light.
 20. Thevideo projector system of claim 19, wherein the light source comprises:for each of the at least two colors of light: two or more light emittingdiodes providing an input color of light; a polarization conversionsystem for each of the two or more light emitting diodes, thepolarization conversion system configured to receive light from at leastone of the two or more light emitting diodes and to output polarizedlight; and a polarizing beam splitter configured to receive the outputpolarized light from each polarization conversion system and to outputcombined light corresponding to the input color of light, wherein atleast 70% of the light received by each polarization conversion systemis output as polarized light.